It is with great sadness that I report the death on 25th May of longtime member Dusty Miller.

Dusty will be very familiar to everyone who has ever attended a walk or other branch event; his presence always adding a kind of legitimacy to proceedings.

He was a great character, a warm avuncular figure; always ready to see the amusing side of any situation.

Ever friendly, Dusty and dear Jean were the first people who came up and welcomed us, when Frankie and I first joined the branch back in the eighties.

Years later, it was an honour serving on the branch committee with him. He had seen it all before and exuded a wistful benevolence at some of the more novel suggestions made by some of us.

Together with Jean, he was an enthusiastic supporter of dog showing at all levels; latterly campaigning Cassius. He also judged - his last appointment at the Houndshow at Stafford was only a few weeks before he was taken ill. It was a privilege to appear there under him - although he was noticeably frail and must have found it quite an ordeal.

We always looked forward to seeing him each Tuesday evening at Langney Ringcraft where he was an honorary member - his popularity with everyone there was so evident.

I can pay him no better tribute than that he was a sweet man who dearly loved Basset Hounds and sharing the company of other like-minded owners; and that his loss will be greatly felt by the branch. The Butchershole meet will always be ‘Jean and Dusty’s walk’.

I know that the thoughts and best wishes of the officers, the committee and all members of the branch are with Jean at this very sad time.

Farewell, Dusty - you will be sorely missed by us all. The hounds salute you.

by Tony Roberts
(This issue of LOWDOWN is dedicated to his memory)